Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey and Europe, is a beautiful combination of mixed European and Middle Eastern culture. Here are five must-see places if you plan to visit.

1. Blue Mosque

The Sultan Ahmet Mosque in Istanbul, popularly known as the Blue Mosque for its beautiful blue tiles in its interior, is a historic mosque in Istanbul built from 1609 to 1616. In November 2006, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Blue Mosque, marking the second papal visit in history to a Muslim place of worship.

2. Hagia Sophia

This beautiful museum in Istanbul was once a patriarchal basilica, a.k.a. a church, and later an imperial mosque before becoming a museum. It is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture.

3. Maiden's Tower

The Maiden’s Tower is a tower located in the Bosphorus, visible from the streets of Istanbul. It’s been featured in past James Bond movies.

4. Grand Bazaar

Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar is one of the world’s largest and oldest covered markets. It has more than 60 streets covered and over 3,000 shops. Its construction began in the 1450s.

5. Dolmabahçe Palace

This gorgeous architectural masterpiece on the European coastline of the Bosphorus was the main administrative center of the Ottoman Empire for almost 100 years, starting in 1856 until 1922, before the creation of the Turkish republic.